This Air Fryer Roast Beef is my go-to hands-off Sunday night dinner: just 5 minutes of prep, then the air fryer does the rest. A simple salt, pepper and rosemary crust gives you big flavor on the outside and a juicy, perfectly pink center, with no searing and no oil rub needed. I've tested it in three different air fryers (Ninja, Philips, Cosori) and it beats any roast beef I've ever made in my oven.
Perfectly Pink With a Herby Salt Crust
Latest in the line of things you really don't need an oven for... roast beef! Cooking it in the air fryer is easier, quicker, tastier and more tender.
This version is crusted with herbs & salt for maximum flavor, and it's better than any version I've ever made in my oven. No need to create a rub or marinade - just season and cook. And you still get the drippings, so you can make a gravy!
My secret to the perfect roast beef? Let it rest. I give you the exact temperatures to rest from below, to ensure you get a perfectly juicy roast every single time.
So grab a roast and let's get cooking!
"Really lovely succulent joint." - Dee
Super Simple Ingredients
You can use any type of round roast for this recipe. I have made this with eye of round, top round and sirloin roast. The cook time was tested with a 1.5 lb cut, but you can make a smaller or larger roast as well, just adjust the cook time accordingly.
If it's much smaller or bigger you'll want to use more or less of the seasonings as well. And don't forget to make sure it's going to fit in your air fryer! You want some room for the air to circulate all around.
It might seem like a lot of salt, but you will want to use all of it.
Choose your herbs! I love rosemary for the crust, but you can swap it for other dried herbs of your choice. Some good options are thyme and basil.
Just Season, Cook, and Rest!
1. Season
Season the roast with salt, pepper and dried herbs on all sides.
2. Cook
Cook in the air fryer for about 40 minutes, until it reaches your desired internal temperature (see guide below).
3. Rest
Wrap in aluminum foil and rest 5-10 minutes before slicing as thin as possible. Save the meat juices gathered in the foil to use for gravy!
Expert Tips
Make sure the roast will fit in your air fryer. If it's too big, you can cut off a piece of it and use for something else.
Do preheat your air fryer! We preheat it at a higher temperature than we cook the roast at, so we get a little bit extra help from the start.
Don't overcook it! Make sure to take it out before it reaches your desired temperature.
Allow it to rest before slicing. This will give you the juiciest and most tender meat.
Use a meat thermometer to know when it is done. See chart below for suggested temperatures.
Forgot to save the drippings? You can still make a delicious gravy without drippings.
Cook time can vary. I've tested this recipe in a Ninja air fryer, Cosori and Philips and they all came in around the same time. But, to be sure your roast comes out perfect, I do recommend using a meat thermometer.
Recommended Internal Temperature
I recommend cooking beef to about 5 degrees below the setpoint and then allowing it to rest wrapped in foil for at least 5 minutes. The temperature will rise up to 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit (2-3 degrees Celsius) while resting.
| Internal temperature | Rest from | |
| Rare | 120-125°F (48-52°C) | 118°F / 46°C |
| Medium Rare | 130°F (54°C) | 123°F / 51°C |
| Medium | 140°F (60°C) | 134°F / 57°C |
| Medium Well | 150°F (65°C) | 143°F / 62°C |
| Well Done | 155°F (68°C) | 149°F / 65°C |
What to Do with Leftovers
You can eat leftovers hot or cold. I recommend slicing the whole roast before storing it.
Storing: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating in air fryer: Air fry slices 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.
Sides to Serve With It
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes17 Minutes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic20 Minutes
- Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese (Dump-and-Bake!)1 Hours 5 Minutes
- Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes50 Minutes
More Easy Air Fryer Beef Recipes
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak15 Minutes
- Air Fryer Skirt Steak50 Minutes
- Air Fryer T-Bone Steak With Homemade Garlic Butter22 Minutes
- Air Fryer Steak Bites50 Minutes
Recipe
Air Fryer Roast Beef With Herby Salt Crust
Print RateIngredients
- 1.5 lb beef roast like eye of round or top round
- 2 teaspoon fine table salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or other dried herbs
- cooking oil optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 400℉ (200℃).
- Pat the roast dry and season on all sides with salt, pepper and dried rosemary.1.5 lb beef roast, 2 tsp fine table salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Brush air fryer basket with oil if needed, then place the roast in the air fryer basket.cooking oil
- Air fry 40 minutes at 320℉ (160℃), until the internal temperature is at 122-125℉ (50-52℃) for medium-rare. I recommend checking the temperature after 30 minutes to see how it's going, and then again after 35 or 40 minutes, to ensure you don't overcook it.
- Wrap in aluminium foil and rest 5-10 minutes before slicing as thin as possible. Save the meat juices gathered by the foil to use for gravy.
Video
Notes
- Rare: 120-125°F (48-52°C) (rest from 118°F / 46°C)
- Medium rare: 130°F (54°C) (rest from 123°F / 51°C)
- Medium: 140°F (60°C) (rest from 134°F / 57°C)
- Medium-well: 150°F (65°C) (rest from 143°F / 62°C)
- Well done: 155°F (68°C) (rest from 149°F / 65°C)
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Dee Vincent-Day
Really lovely succulent joint.
Laurel Vance
I have yet to make this recipe so will have to comment when I do. It sounds & looks delicious.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Laurel! Please let me know what you think after trying it! I just love it! /Emmeline